• Monster Hunter Wilds debuts at No.3 on revenue charts for February 2025 | Newzoo Charts
    www.gamesindustry.biz
    Monster Hunter Wilds debuts at No.3 on revenue charts for February 2025 | Newzoo ChartsCapcom's fastest-selling title took the top spot on Newzoo's premium revenue chartImage credit: Capcom News by Sophie McEvoy Staff Writer Published on March 20, 2025 Monster Hunter Wilds debuted at No.3 on Newzoo's overall revenue chart for February, despite launching on the final day of the month.Capcom's action RPG took the top spot on the firm's premium revenues (full game sales) chart, as well as the PC revenue chart. It ranked at No.5 and No.6 respectively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.As for overall player engagement, Monster Hunter Wilds ranked at No.13. Newzoo noted that the game had two open betas in February, "both of which attracted sizable audiences and possibly influenced engagement."Another new release on Newzoo's revenue chart was Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which launched at No.6 with "great sales numbers in its first month" pushing it to No.2 on the premium revenues rankings.Civilization 7 took the No.7 spot, with Newzoo suggesting that "mixed reviews concerning changes in game design" could have potentially "hindered initial sales." However, it noted that the game's monetisation model which includes DLCs that introduce new gameplay mechanics "are expected to drive long-term sales."Avowed also broke into the Top 20, despite being a day one launch on Xbox Game Pass. The title reached No.18 on the individual revenue chart for Xbox, and No.9 on its engagement rankings.Here are the Top 20 games by revenue in the US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy for February 2025, across PC and consoles, according to Newzoo:RankLast month RankTitle11Fortnite23Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, 3, Warzone, and Black Ops 63NEWMonster Hunter Wilds42EA Sports FC 2554NBA 2K256NEWKingdom Come: Deliverance 27NEWSid Meier's Civilization 785Marvel Rivals97The Sims 4106Minecraft119Valorant1212Counter-Strike 2 & Go138Grand Theft Auto 51410EA Sports College Football 251528Hello Kitty Island Adventure1643Destiny 21713EA Sports Madden NFL 2518NEWPGA Tour 2K251914Roblox20NEWAvowedAnd here are the Top 20 games by monthly active users across US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy for February 2025, across PC and consoles, according to Newzoo:RankLast month RankTitle11Fortnite22Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, 3, and Warzone 2.033Minecraft46Grand Theft Auto 555Roblox64Marvel Rivals77Rocket League88EA Sports FC 25910Counter-Strike 2 & Go109Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege1112NBA 2K251213The Sims 413NEWMonster Hunter Wilds1414Apex Legends1511EA Sports College Football 251619EA Sports Madden NFL 251720Overwatch 1&21815Red Dead Redemption 21917Helldivers 22016EA Sports FC 24
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  • Space science is under threat from the anti-DEI purge
    www.theverge.com
    The space science community has long prided itself on its ability to inspire and move people of all backgrounds, but President Donald Trumps recent executive orders demanding the end of diversity programs have thrown that optimism into chaos.In response, NASA has suspended funding for diversity and outreach programs, paused the meetings of community groups that interface with space scientists, and banned the activities of internal employee resource groups for women, queer people, and others.The White House additionally moved to terminate thousands of probationary NASA employees before suddenly reversing the decision at the last minute, though the threat of deep layoffs and budget cuts of up to 50 percent continues to hang over the heads of agency workers. NASA has also closed three of its offices this week, including the diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) branch of its equal opportunity office, and laid off its workers. Those who remain at NASA are hiding symbols of LGBTQIA pride and removing pronouns from their email signatures. Talented scientists who receive federal funding are in fear not only for their jobs but also for their childrens futures, with many looking for work outside the federal funding structure or even considering leaving the US altogether.Executive orders are not optional, said Charles Webb, acting director of NASAs planetary science division, at a conference on Monday, describing NASA as racing to comply with the orders. These changes demanded by the Trump administration are rolling back decades of evidence-supported work in diversity and outreach. Experts warn that these actions will impede scientific discovery; create a smaller, less creative, and more generic agency; and could even lead to more accidents and loss of life as people working on space missions dont feel that they can speak out about problems that they see.Taking an axe to diversity programs isnt making NASA a more efficient agency its undermining the values of science.The chaos is the pointThose working within NASA are bound by the governments whims, but the chilling impact of these changes is being felt far beyond civil service.The legality of Trumps executive orders is up for debate, leaving individual federal grant recipients grappling with how to handle them. The Verge spoke to nine people working in space science (others declined to speak to the media out of concern for their positions), several of whom described receiving conflicting emails from their university employers on what work is or is not allowed, and on what initiatives are being supported, with guidance changing daily. A general atmosphere of fear and worry is leading many to keep their heads down in hopes that their research may remain unaffected.Taking an axe to diversity programs isnt making NASA a more efficient agency its undermining the values of science.Scientists typically look to professional groups for guidance, though most have failed to step up to the plate. The American Geophysical Union (AGU) has been widely seen as mishandling its response to the crisis by preemptively deleting content from its website related to diversity and then restoring it after criticism. Other groups like the Space Science Institute (SSI) have also removed pages about a commitment to diversity from its website. Even NASA itself briefly removed mentions of inclusion as one of its core values before reinstating them.The removal of a statement (which is just words on a page) does not diminish the commitment of individual researchers and educators in the organization to the idea that diversity in the space science workforce is crucial, and that educational access for all Americans regardless of gender, creed, national origin or other identity breeds innovation and progress in the next generation of scientists, the SSI said in a statement to The Verge, citing the executive orders as necessitating the change. With NASA under threat of deep cuts, universities in damage control mode, and most professional organizations floundering, scientists are having to look outside their typical organizational structures to resist Trumps executive meddling.Weve not seen the kind of leadership that I think we need, and that tells me that the way to push back on this is largely going to be kind of grassroots. It wont be coming from the top down. Itll have to come from the bottom up, says Paul Byrne, a planetary scientist at Washington University.NASAs Artemis II crew in December 2024. AFP /AFP via Getty ImagesNo basis in scientific evidenceA theme that experts repeatedly drew attention to was that the promotion of diversity in the sciences was not a matter of window dressing or checkboxes, but an important pillar of critical thought. While they supported wider access to science for ethical and human reasons, they also emphasized that, in purely pragmatic terms, greater diversity among scientists leads to better science.Trumps crusade against diversity in sciences has no basis in scientific evidence, according to Julie Rathbun, who works in Cornell Universitys astronomy department and has worked as a leader in DEIA programs in the past.Scientific evidence for years has said diverse groups do better science, she says. Social science tells us diverse and inclusive groups do better science and better technology, and have better outcomes. NASA previously embraced diversity because it was following the evidence, Rathbun says, and it adopted policies that enabled a range of voices in the room to question and challenge each other. That attitude has been largely embraced by space scientists of all backgrounds, who see the practical and ethical values in diversity.Weve not seen the kind of leadership that I think we need, and that tells me that the way to push back on this is largely going to be kind of grassroots.The 1986 Challenger disaster in which seven crew members were killed when their Space Shuttle broke apart shortly after launch was directly linked to a homogeneity of thought among NASA personnel. The agencys lack of diverse perspectives fed into the tendency toward groupthink that contributed to the disaster, while research has shown that more cultural and ethnic diversity in groups leads to more creative and higher quality ideas and lower risks for space missions.Diversity initiatives are necessary if the field is to accurately represent the US population, supporters say, noting that they have been making progress toward that goal.In planetary science, for example, a 2011 demographic survey found that only 25 percent of US researchers were women and just 1 percent were Black or Latinx. There were slight improvements made in the following years, with an increase in a 2020 survey to 35 percent women and 4 percent Latinx researchers, though Black researchers remained distinctly underrepresented with no improvements made in their numbers. The stark lack of Black voices in the field is exactly the kind of issue that DEIA programs hoped to address through outreach and support.DEIA is not just lip service. Its actually trying to make a level playing field, Byrne says. And there is a very kind of cold statistical argument behind DEIA that transcends just the moral, which is that we know statistically and scientifically that the more varied a set of perspectives we have, the better the outcome.This view was echoed by Mark Sykes, CEO of the Planetary Science Institute (PSI), one of the few leaders of a professional group who did send an unambiguous statement of support for diversity. The role of imagination is key for scientific advances, he says, and a more varied group of people can imagine a broader range of possibilities.Its not rocket science, Sykes says. A lot of times, its just being considerate of everybody.WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 15: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters is seen in Washington D.C., United States on September 15, 2023. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Anadolu Agency via Getty ImagesAn ahistorical departureThis recent slash-and-burn approach by the Trump administration is striking because, traditionally, space science has been beloved on both the left and right. Conservatives have generally been pro-NASA spending, seeing it as a way to burnish the US image and to make it a leader in space development as a source of national pride.That right-wing support for NASA has extended to support for its diversity initiatives, too. Inclusion was added as a core NASA value by then-administrator Jim Bridenstine, a Republican and first-term Trump appointee. Much of the Artemis programs promotion under Bridenstines tenure revolved around the desire to put the first woman and person of color on the moon. Bridenstine also issued a policy statement affirming commitment to equal opportunities within NASA and its partner institutions. That policy statement has now been deleted.NASAs interest in diversity is neither new nor a purely left-wing phenomenon. Threatening to gut the agencys staff and cudgeling its outreach programs is not a return to a traditional conservative approach but rather veering into a crudely anti-woke ethos that has no interest in evidence, reality, or history.An ahistorical departureIn such circumstances, space scientists are finding their own ways to band together and resist. Sykes says he is committed to promoting diversity as a key value of the PSI. If that means federal funding dries up then they will look for other sources of money, perhaps even crowdfunding. He sees outreach and providing input on DEIA topics to be crucial work that they will keep doing, saying, If NASA wants, or the government wants to go after us for doing that, then, well, the hell with them. For Rathbun, who was active in programs like NASAs now-suspended Here to Observe initiative that provided outreach for underrepresented students, she says she and her fellow scientists will be continuing their mentoring and support of these students, even if the official program is closed, and inviting them to meetings and workshops to let them know that there are still avenues open to them.Scientists are even taking it upon themselves to support their colleagues through mutual aid funding. The largely early career researchers who make up the Choir Collaboration, a group dedicated to studying galaxy evolution and promoting intersectionality in science, have started a mutual aid initiative and are collecting financial donations to be distributed to space scientists who have been affected by the cuts, especially those working in DEIA.For those who are working to diversify science, these efforts are a fundamental duty that scientists have to the broader community. We view caring and enabling and fostering and uplifting DEIA initiatives, equity, diversity in science, as well as the people who are doing the science, as a part of our job description, says Choir member Erini Lambrides of NASA Goddard.NASAs interest in diversity is neither new nor a purely left-wing phenomenon.Financial pressures are a real concern for early career scientists, for whom a missed paycheck can be an enormous hardship. They described embarking on postdoc positions and having just a few hundred dollars in the bank, or hearing from colleagues who were told with less than a weeks notice that they might not be getting paid that month. No one becomes a space scientist for the money, but neither scientists cant be expected to do good work when they cant afford to pay their rent.Thats particularly true of those who come from marginalized backgrounds or who work in DEIA initiatives, which are often unfunded and are frequently considered by employers as not as worthwhile work for a scientist as, say, producing a highly cited paper.That devaluing of outreach work by prospective employers overlooks the human aspect that powers all of science. Science is never done in isolation, right? says Choir member Taylor Hutchison, also of NASA Goddard. Were people first. And were part of communities.That sense of community has also powered the mutual aid initiative, which has been taken up and supported by scientists at all career stages. It has spread even beyond the US, reflecting the global nature of the field and an increasing push against astronomys imperialist roots and its centering of the Global North.The response has been fantastic, said choir member Gourav Khullar of the University of Washington. And were engaging with the broader astronomy community even outside North America, which is very representative of what the astronomy field is.A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from launch pad 30A at the Kennedy Space Center, carrying four astronauts to the Space Station. (Photo by Manuel Mazzanti/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty ImagesAn attack on scienceResearchers working outside of federal agencies expressed sympathy for those working within NASA. Federal workers have little freedom to challenge executive orders or to stand up to the government, even in self defense.Government employees are not the enemy, Rathbun said. They do really good work, especially people at NASA.There is a sense that workers at NASA and other federal agencies are being thrown under the bus in the name of a culture war, with their work being denigrated in a way that they dont have the ability to refute.Every time you talk to someone who actually works with career civil servants, you realize that overwhelmingly, theyre super motivated, well-meaning, passionate people, said Byrne. These are not bad people. Theres no deep state. These are people who care about their country and the planet and their species, and want to help.Government employees are not the enemy.While few would argue that there are some areas in which NASA could curtail its spending and reduce costs, such as the ever-ballooning pork barrel buffet that is the agencys Space Launch System rocket, the nixing of DEIA values is neither efficient nor supported by the evidence.Its the partisan nature of these orders that have people worried, as they undermine the structures that are especially necessary at the cutting edge of scientific thought.Many of us work in fields where were trying to challenge and break existing paradigms within our science, Lambrides says. And in order to really test and break those paradigms, you do need diversity of thought. You do need people coming from different frameworks of life, and how they solve and how they think about problems. Because these are brand new problems were working on.This isnt the first time that scientists have seen their work disregarded, and researchers see a clear through-line in right wing attacks on scientific principles. If you look at these executive orders in total, its an attack on science as a whole, Rathbun says. An attack on DEIA is the same as an attack on vaccines, the same as an attack on climate change. Its an attack on the process. Its not letting us fulfill that scientific goal of getting our best understanding of the universe.See More:
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  • Huaweis new flip phone is weirdly wide
    www.theverge.com
    Huawei has launched a new flip phone that upends the form factor, opening sideways rather than vertically to create a wider device with a tablet-esque aspect ratio. Its the first Huawei phone to ship without Android app compatibility, and debuts the companys in-house AI assistant, Harmony Intelligence something the industry shouldnt ignore, Nvidias CEO admits.The Pura X looks similar to a Samsung Galaxy Flip or Motorola Razr when its closed, with a palm-sized design and a square cover screen below its triple camera. The giveaway that somethings up is that the hinge is on the phones side, not its top flip that and you find a 6.3-inch display in a 16:10 aspect ratio, wider than other flip phones and closer to tablets in its proportions. It seems to be a way of splitting the difference between flip phones and larger book-style foldables.This is also the first Huawei phone to leave Android behind for good. It runs the new HarmonyOS Next, which doesnt use Android Open Source Project code and isnt compatible with Android apps. The OS launched in November 2024 alongside the Mate 70 series, but owners of those phones were given a choice between Next or the Android-based HarmonyOS, whereas the Pura X is only available with the new software.The Pura X is also the first phone to ship with Harmony Intelligence, an AI assistant based on Huaweis in-house Pangu model and enhanced by DeepSeek. Huawei is also developing its own in-house Ascend AI chips, and this week Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admitted that Huaweis presence in AI is growing every single year, adding that We cant assume that they are not going to be a factor. He also noted that US trade restrictions on the company have done poorly, calling Huawei the single most formidable technology company in China.The Pura X is only available in China for now, where it starts at 7,499 yuan (around $1,037). Early teasers for the Pura X highlighting its wider aspect ratio gave the impression that it might be Huaweis first commercial rollable phone. Lenovo has confirmed that its rollable laptop will go on sale this year, but the wait for a rolling phone continues.See More:
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  • Jason Momoa Teases Lobos Debut in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow: 'We Look Pretty Dead On'
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    Jason Momoas Lobo is set to appear in 2026 DC Universe movie Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and the A Minecraft Movie actor has spoken briefly about what fans can expect from the characters debut.Lobo is an alien interstellar mercenary and bounty hunter with superhuman strength and immortality who hails from the planet Czarnia. Like Superman, he's the last survivor of that dead world. Lobo was created by Roger Slifer and Keith Giffen and first appeared in Omega Men #3 in 1983.Momoa, who played Aquaman in the now-discarded DC Extended Universe (DCEU), will join the rebooted DC Universe (DCU) as Lobo in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. The actor has said Lobo is his favorite comic book character and has always wanted to play him, pointing to aesthetic similarities between the two.From Aquaman to Lobo, Jason Momoa is crossing DC universes.Speaking to ScreenRant, Momoa teased Lobos appearance in Supergirl. It sounds like well get a good look at the character in the movie, but also a fleeting one.Well, this is the role I've always wanted to play, Momoa said. Thats the comic I loved, so I'm really nervous about it. Its kind of a no-brainer to play this character. It's pretty big. I don't want to give away too much, but I mean, we look pretty dead on, exactly like the character, and hes pretty rough and gruff and I'll say the bikes really cool.Momoa was then asked to give an indication of how much on-screen time Lobo will get. He replied to say: Its her movie, so it's great. I just come in for a little bit.PlayIn January, DC co-chief James Gunn shared the first photo of Milly Alcock as Supergirl, although it didnt reveal much. In a post on Bluesky, Gunn announced that cameras had begun to roll on Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow starring House of the Dragon's Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El aka Supergirl.No further details have been revealed on the movie other than it is based heavily on the graphic novel of the same name by Tom King, Bilquis Evely, and Ana Norgueira. The comic tells a standalone story of an alien girl named Ruthye Marye Knoll who enlists the help of Supergirl to get revenge for the murder of her father by the villain Krem of the Yellow Hills.Matthias Schoenaerts plays Krem while Eve Ridley plays Ruthye. Other members of the cast includes David Krumholtz as Supergirl's father Zor-El, Emily Beecham as Supergirl's mother, and the aforementioned Jason Momoa.Supergirl, due out June 2026, is the second movie in the new DCU after James Gunn's Superman hits theaters this summer. The DCU Clayface movie is set for September 2026.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
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  • New Power Rangers Live-Action Disney+ Series Reportedly Designed to Reinvent the Franchise for a New Generation of Fans
    www.ign.com
    Power Rangers is reportedly set for a live-action series on Disney+.The Wrap reported that Percy Jackson and the Olympians showrunners Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz are in talks to write, showrun, and produce a live-action Power Rangers series for Disney+ and 20th Century TV.According to The Wrap, Power Rangers owner Hasbro intends for the series to reinvent the franchise for a new generation of fans, while keeping existing fans on-side.Power Rangers was essential viewing for a generation of kids in the '90s. Photo by Fox/Getty Images.The 90s TV show The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was essential viewing for a generation of kids who idolized its teenage superheroes and their associated mechs, which could combine to form an even bigger mech.In 2018, Hasbro acquired the Power Rangers franchise as well as other brands from original owner Saban Properties in a deal worth $522 million. At the time, Hasbro said the Power Rangers brand had tremendous upside potential.We see significant opportunity for Power Rangers across our entire Brand Blueprint, including toys and games, consumer products, digital gaming and entertainment, as well as geographically throughout our global retail footprint, Brian Goldner, Hasbros chairman and chief executive officer, said upon announcing the deal.PlayThe deal came in the wake of the failed 2017 movie reboot, which gave Power Rangers a gritty makeover that was designed to spawn multiple sequels. Those plans were scrapped amid poor box office performance, and Saban sold the rights to Hasbro soon after.Other eye-catching Hasbro projects include a live-action Dungeons & Dragons series called The Forgotten Realms, which is currently in development at Netflix, an animated Magic: The Gathering series, also in the works at Netflix, and a Magic: The Gathering cinematic universe.Photo by Fox/Getty Images.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
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  • Giorgio Armanis Historic Upper West Side Apartment Is Full of Surprises
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    Earlier this year there was a black velvet tuxedo jacket in the window of the newly opened Giorgio Armani flagship on Madison Avenue. To the passerby it might have simply appeared classic. To those who looked closer, it was more. The cuffs were satin and flared perfectly at the wrist. The shoulders perfectly rounded. The tailoring present but concealed. It is difficult to discuss the spaces designed for Mr. Armani without discussing the pieces designed by him. The shared vocabulary is strong and singular.Courtesy Todd EberleMr. Armani awaits lunch guests.A recent advertising campaign for the fashion collection featured the phrase Thats so Armani, and we all understood exactly what that meant. The hushed palette, the seductive textures, the lines and curves of elegance. But if you know to look for it, there is always a small surprise, a sly smile, an understanding. In that velvet jacket in the window it was the elongated cuff. On the runway it is often a small punctuating hat. There is, says Mr. Armani, a coherence to my approach that lies in the clean lines, harmonious colors, and beautiful materials that take on an individual interpretation in each different space. Then again, my personal spaces feature some idiosyncrasies which characterize me as a person, but that I rarely inject in my creations. I love a few touches of humorstuffed animals or animal statues, for instance. Uri is my life-size gorilla in Milan; in New York its a small monkey on the sofa. They are the mark of a lived-in space. Each of my homes, when put side by side, looks individual and in tune with its location.Courtesy Todd EberleA guestrooms original 1920s leaded glass windows overlook Central Park in Giorgio Armanis New York penthouse, which he designed with his team of in-house architects. He was first struck by the building, built in 1929 in the Neo-Renaissance style by Schwartz & Gross, years ago on a trip to New York. Central Park West, he says, boasts the best view of the skyline beyond the green heart of the city. I loved the apartments sense of spaciousness, which is out of proportion to its dimensions thanks to uninterrupted sight lines, with large windows facing in all directions. The interiors are, he admits, undeniably Armani, but this apartment is also undeniably Armani in New York.I love a few touches of humor. in New York its a small monkey on the sofa.Looking out from this height, New York comes through loud and clear. One thing that is very particular about the apartment, a fusion of Europe and the USA, is the stained glass windows, reminiscent of Gothic churches. Those windows are original and one part of the legend of this apartment. Architects are said to have found Marion Daviess initials carved into the fireplace. (William Randolph Hearst was once the owner.) The city those windows look out on is a part of Armani legend too. In October of last year, the opening of the flagship and residences (and restaurant) at 760 Madison was celebrated with a runway show and event at the Park Avenue Armory, but the romance began long before. Step Inside This Historic Upper West Side ApartmentMy first trip to America was in the 1970s, says Mr. Armani, when I won the Neiman Marcus Award. It was an exciting voyage of discovery. Seeing New York live for the first time made a big impression on me. I am drawn to the energy and international character of the city. Although New York is so different from Milan in so many ways, it has always felt familiar to meperhaps because, as a fan of movies, it is etched in my visual memory through so many films, not least those of my friend Martin Scorsese. It was my dream to live on the Upper West Side, and that is where I ended up.It was my dream to live on the Upper West Side, and that is where I ended up.And what is a day in the New York life of Giorgio Armani like? If someone came to my house in New York, Id serve them mostly Italian dishes, like tortelli alla piacentina, cotoletta, lemon escalope, baked chicken, pasta alla puttanesca, simple cheeses, artichoke or puntarelle salad, rice al salto, and ditalini with tomato sauce, farfalle courgettes, and saffron. Classic and timeless dishes. And what might they learn about an icon by seeing where he lives? I hope that people will get a sense of the authenticity, the commitment, and the passion that characterize everything that I do.This story originally appeared in the April 2025 issue of Elle Decor. SUBSCRIBE Stellene VolandesEditor In ChiefEditor-in-Chief Stellene Volandes is a jewelry expert, and the author of Jeweler: Masters and Mavericks of Modern Design (Rizzoli).
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  • Meta AI chatbot rolling out to Europe after privacy delay, with a huge limitation
    9to5mac.com
    The Meta AI chatbot is finally rolling out to European countries from this week, and will be accessible in Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger. However, the headline feature of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses will not be available.The generative AI feature first launched in the US back in 2023, but privacy concerns were raised when it came to light that the company had been training it on Facebook and Instagram posts since way back in 2007 .European privacy legislation required the company to allow EU and UK citizens to opt out of this, but privacy regulators were still not happy, arguing that it should instead be opt-in. That saw the company forced to pause the rollout in Europe, while the expansion program continued in other parts of the world.The rollout is now being resumed, following what Meta describes as intensive engagement with regulators. However, The Verge reports that only text chat will be available for now.Starting this week, Meta AI will roll out across WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger in 41 European countries and 21 overseas territories []For now, Meta says its AI assistant will only function as a chatbot for users in Europe, helping to brainstorm ideas, plan a trip, or answer specific questions using information from the web. European users will also be able to use Meta AI to surface certain kinds of content on their Instagram feed. However, they cant use the tool to do things likegenerate or edit images, as well as ask questions about a photo. The model isnt trained on EU user data, either.This massively impacts Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which are unable to offer their headline feature of being able to ask the AI to see what youre looking at and answer questions about it.Highlighted accessoriesImage: MetaAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel
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  • This is one of the most sophisticated phishing attacks ever made against Mac users
    9to5mac.com
    The criminals behind a phishing attack aimed at Windows users are now targeting Mac users instead. The goal is to steal your Apple Account credentials (aka Apple ID).The security researchers who uncovered the scam say that its one of the most sophisticated attacks ever mounted against Mac users Security researchers monitoring a long-running phishing attack against Window users found that Mac users are now the primary target after Microsoft introduced new security measures.For the past few months, LayerX has been monitoring a sophisticated phishing campaign that initially targeted Windows users by masquerading as Microsoft security alerts. The campaigns goal was to steal user credentials by employing deceptive tactics that made victims believe their computers were compromised.Now, with new security features rolled out by Microsoft, Chrome, and Firefox, the attackers have shifted their focus to Mac users.The core method of the attack is nothing new: a website popup window masquerading as a security alert. But what enables this particular attack to fool so many people is that it uses malicious code to cause the webpage you are viewing to freeze. That lends credibility to the popup claim that the computer has been locked.LayerX says that the sophistication of the setup made it hard to block. For example, the Windows version was hosted on a genuine Microsoft server.The phishing pages were hosted on Microsofts Windows.net platform (an open platform by Microsoft for hosting Azure applications). In the context of the attack, this made the messages appear legitimate, since they were security warnings (supposedly) by Microsoft, coming from a page on a windows[.]net domain.However, Microsoft last month introduced an anti-scareware feature in its Edge browser, with similar protections implemented in Chrome and Firefox. That stopped 90% of the attacks on Windows PCs, so the attackers turned their focus to Macs running Safari.They changed both the appearance and wording of the popup to look legitimate to Mac users.Within 2 weeks of Microsoft rolling out the new anti-phishing defenses, LayerX begun observing attacks against Mac users, who apparently were not covered by these new defenses []Mac and Safari users are now prime targets. While phishing campaigns targeting Mac users have existed before, they have rarely reached this level of sophistication.While its not likely 9to5Mac readers would be fooled, freezing the underlying webpage makes it pretty convincing to less tech-savvy Mac owners, so you may want to share this with family and friends.Highlighted accessoriesVia Macworld. Photo byAlex BachoronUnsplash.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel
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  • How to Protect Your Business from Cyber Threats: Mastering the Shared Responsibility Model
    thehackernews.com
    Mar 20, 2025The Hacker NewsCloud Security / Data ProtectionCybersecurity isn't just another checkbox on your business agenda. It's a fundamental pillar of survival. As organizations increasingly migrate their operations to the cloud, understanding how to protect your digital assets becomes crucial. The shared responsibility model, exemplified through Microsoft 365's approach, offers a framework for comprehending and implementing effective cybersecurity measures. The Essence of Shared Responsibility Think of cloud security like a well-maintained building: the property manager handles structural integrity and common areas, while tenants secure their individual units. Similarly, the shared responsibility model creates a clear division of security duties between cloud providers and their users. This partnership approach ensures comprehensive protection through clearly defined roles and responsibilities. What Your Cloud Provider Handles Microsoft maintains comprehensive responsibility for securing the foundational elements of your cloud environment. Their security team manages physical infrastructure security, including state-of-the-art data centers and robust network architecture. They implement platform-level security features and regularly deploy security updates to protect against emerging threats. Your data receives protection through sophisticated encryption protocols, both during transmission and while stored. Microsoft also ensures compliance with global security standards and regulations, conducts regular security audits, and employs advanced threat detection capabilities with rapid response protocols. Your Business's Security Responsibilities As a Microsoft 365 user, your organization must take ownership of several critical security aspects. This includes implementing robust user access controls and choosing appropriate authentication methods for your security needs. Your team should carefully configure securitysettings to align with your organization's risk tolerance and compliance requirements. Protecting account credentials and maintaining strong password policies falls squarely within your domain. Additionally, you must actively monitor and control data sharing practices, ensure comprehensive employee security training, and determine when additional security tools are necessary to meet specific business requirements. Discover how CrashPlan enhances Microsoft 365 backup and recovery here.Implementing Security Measures Begin your security journey with a comprehensive assessment of your current security posture using Microsoft Secure Score. This evaluation will reveal existing security gaps that require immediate attention. Based on these findings, develop a detailed remediation plan with clear priorities and timelines. Establish a dedicated security governance team to oversee the implementation process and create effective communication channels for security-related updates and concerns. Authentication and Access Management Implementation The implementation of robust authentication measures begins with enabling Security Defaults in Entra ID (formerly Azure AD). Create a pilot program starting with your IT staff to test and refine the deployment process. When configuring Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) methods, prioritize the use of authenticator apps, Google Authenticator or Duo, over SMS for enhanced security. Develop comprehensive end-user training materials and communication plans to ensure smooth adoption. Your MFA rollout should follow a phased approach, beginning with IT and administrative staff to build internal expertise. Next, extend implementation to department managers who can champion the change within their teams. Follow this with a controlled rollout to general staff members, and finally include external contractors in your MFA requirements. For Role Based Access Control (RBAC), start by documenting your organization's existing roles and responsibilities in detail. Create role groups that align with specific job functions, beginning with Global Administrators, who should be limited to two or three trusted individuals. Define clear responsibilities for Security Administrators, Compliance Administrators, and Department-level Administrators. Implement the principle of least privilege access for each role, ensuring users have only the permissions necessary for their job functions. Data Protection Configuration Begin your data protection journey by conducting a thorough assessment of your organization's information assets. Identify and categorize sensitive data types across your systems, paying particular attention to Personal Identifiable Information (PII), financial records, intellectualproperty, and client confidential information. These classifications form the foundation of your data protection strategy. Create a hierarchical system of sensitivity labels that reflects your organization's data handling requirements. Start with basic classifications such as Public for generally available information, and progress through Internal for company-wide data, Confidential for sensitive business information, and Highly Confidential for the most critical data assets. Implement auto-labeling policies to automatically classify common data types, reducing the burden on end users while ensuring consistent protection. Your Data Loss Prevention (DLP) implementation should begin with enabling Microsoft 365's built-in policies that align with common regulatory requirements. Develop custom DLP policies that address your organization's specific needs, configured to monitor critical business locations including email communications, Teams conversations, and SharePoint document libraries. Create clear notification templates that explain policy violations to users and provide guidance on proper data handling. In addition to these measures, a 3-2-1 backup strategy is crucial for ensuring the recovery of your organization's data in case of an incident or disaster. This involves maintaining three copies of your data (primary, secondary, and tertiary), on two different types of media (such as hard drives and tape drives), with one being offsite. Implementing a 3-2-1 backup strategy ensures that you can recover your data in the event of a disaster, reducing downtime and minimizing potential losses. Threat Protection Setup Configure Microsoft Defender's Safe Links feature to provide comprehensive protection against malicious URLs. Enable real-time URL scanning across all Office applications and remove the option for users to click through warnings, ensuring consistent protection. Set up Safe Links to scan URLs at the time of click, providing protection even against delayed-action threats. Implement Safe Attachments with Dynamic Delivery to maintain productivity while ensuring document safety. Configure the system to block detected malware and extend protection across SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams environments. Enhance your anti-phishing defenses by creating targeted protection for high-risk users such as executives and finance team members. Establish a comprehensive security monitoring framework beginning with carefully calibrated alert notifications. Define clear severity thresholds that align with your incident response capabilities and ensure notifications reach the appropriate team members. Create an escalation procedure that accounts for alert severity and response time requirements.Ongoing Security Management Implement a structured approach to security maintenance through a weekly rotation of key tasks. The first week of each month should focus on comprehensive access reviews, ensuring appropriate permissions across all systems. Week two centers on evaluating policy effectiveness and making necessary adjustments. The third week involves detailed compliance verification against relevant standards and regulations. Complete the monthly cycle with a thorough review of security metrics and performance indicators. Establish a comprehensive security training program that addresses different audience needs throughout the month. Begin with new employee security orientation sessions that cover fundamental security practices and company policies. Follow this with department-specific training that addresses unique security challenges and requirements for different business units. Conduct regular phishing simulation exercises to test and improve user awareness. Looking Ahead Organizations must maintain strong security which requires constant vigilance and adaptation. Organizations must stay informed about emerging threats and security technologies while regularly assessing and updating their security controls. Success in cybersecurity isn't measured by the absence of incidents but by the effectiveness of your detection and response capabilities. Remember that implementing security measures is an ongoing journey rather than a destination. Regular assessment, continuous improvement, and active engagement from all stakeholders are essential for maintaining an effective security posture in today's dynamic threat landscape.Found this article interesting? This article is a contributed piece from one of our valued partners. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE
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  • Six Governments Likely Use Israeli Paragon Spyware to Hack IM Apps and Harvest Data
    thehackernews.com
    Mar 20, 2025Ravie LakshmananSpyware / Mobile SecurityThe governments of Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Israel, and Singapore are likely customers of spyware developed by Israeli company Paragon Solutions, according to a new report from The Citizen Lab.Paragon, founded in 2019 by Ehud Barak and Ehud Schneorson, is the maker of a surveillance tool called Graphite that's capable of harvesting sensitive data from instant messaging applications on a device.The interdisciplinary lab said it identified the six governments as "suspected Paragon deployments" after mapping the server infrastructure suspected to be associated with the spyware.The development comes nearly two months after Meta-owned WhatsApp said it notified around 90 journalists and civil society members that it said were targeted by Graphite. The attacks were disrupted in December 2024.Targets of these attacks included individuals spread across over two dozen countries, including several in Europe such as Belgium, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden."This is the latest example of why spyware companies must be held accountable for their unlawful actions," a WhatsApp spokesperson told The Hacker News at that time. "WhatsApp will continue to protect peoples' ability to communicate privately."In these attacks, targets were added to a WhatsApp group, and then sent a PDF document, which is subsequently parsed automatically to trigger the now-patched zero-day vulnerability and load the Graphite spyware. The final stage entails escaping the Android sandbox to compromise other apps on the targeted devices.Further investigation of hacked Android devices has uncovered a forensic artifact dubbed BIGPRETZEL that is suspected to uniquely identify infections with Paragon' Graphite spyware.Evidence has also found evidence of a likely Paragon infection targeting an iPhone belonging to an Italy-based founder of the organization Refugees in Libya in June 2024. Apple has since addressed the attack vector with the release of iOS 18."Mercenary spyware attacks like this one are extremely sophisticated, cost millions of dollars to develop, often have a short shelf life, and are used to target specific individuals because of who they are or what they do," Apple said in a statement."After detecting the attacks in question, our security teams rapidly developed and deployed a fix in the initial release of iOS 18 to protect iPhone users, and sent Apple threat notifications to inform and assist users who may have been individually targeted."Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE
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